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The President, The Congress, and The Panama Canal Treaties: A Tale of Negotiations, Controversy, and Cooperation

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A Historical Photograph Of President Jimmy Carter, Members Of Congress, And Panamanian Officials Signing The Panama Canal Treaties The Dynamics Of Foreign Policymaking: The President The Congress And The Panama Canal Treaties

The Panama Canal Treaties, signed in 1977, marked a watershed moment in the history of the Panama Canal and the relations between the United States and Panama. The treaties, which transferred control of the canal from the United States to Panama, were the culmination of years of negotiations and controversy.

The Dynamics Of Foreign Policymaking: The President, The Congress, And The Panama Canal Treaties

by William L Furlong

4.7 out of 5

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The Early Years

The United States first gained control of the Panama Canal Zone in 1903, when it signed a treaty with Panama that gave the U.S. exclusive rights to build, operate, and defend the canal. The treaty was negotiated by President Theodore Roosevelt and Panamanian President Manuel Amador Guerrero, and it was ratified by the U.S. Senate the following year.

The construction of the canal was a major undertaking, and it took more than a decade to complete. The canal opened to traffic in 1914, and it quickly became one of the most important waterways in the world. The U.S. controlled the canal for more than 50 years, but by the 1960s, there was growing pressure from Panama to regain control of the waterway.

Negotiations and Controversy

In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed a commission to study the future of the Panama Canal. The commission, which was headed by former Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, recommended that the U.S. negotiate a new treaty with Panama that would transfer control of the canal to Panama.

Negotiations between the two countries began in 1967, but they quickly stalled over a number of issues, including the timing of the transfer, the amount of compensation that would be paid to the U.S., and the future of the U.S. military presence in Panama.

In 1974, President Jimmy Carter took office and vowed to make the Panama Canal negotiations a top priority. Carter appointed a new negotiator, Ellsworth Bunker, and he instructed Bunker to reach a fair and equitable agreement with Panama.

Bunker and his Panamanian counterpart, Omar Torrijos, worked tirelessly to overcome the obstacles that had prevented a previous agreement. They eventually reached a compromise that satisfied both sides.

The Panama Canal Treaties

The Panama Canal Treaties were signed on September 7, 1977. The treaties provided for the following:

* The United States would transfer control of the canal to Panama on December 31, 1999. * Panama would pay the U.S. $320 million in compensation for the transfer. * The U.S. would retain the right to use the canal for military purposes after 1999. * The U.S. would continue to provide defense for the canal after 1999.

The treaties were ratified by the U.S. Senate in 1978, and they went into effect on October 1, 1979.

The Legacy of the Treaties

The Panama Canal Treaties were a major victory for both the United States and Panama. The treaties resolved a long-standing dispute between the two countries, and they paved the way for a new era of cooperation.

The treaties have also had a positive impact on the Panama Canal itself. The canal is now operated by the Panama Canal Authority, a Panamanian government agency. The canal is more efficient and profitable than ever before, and it is a vital part of the global economy.

The Panama Canal Treaties are a testament to the power of negotiation and cooperation. The treaties have benefited both the United States and Panama, and they have helped to create a more stable and prosperous world.

Additional Resources

* The Panama Canal Treaties: A History and Analysis by John H. Coatsworth * The Panama Canal: American Control and Panamanian Sovereignty by Michael L. Conniff * The Panama Canal Treaties: A Case Study in International Negotiation by Ellsworth Bunker

The Dynamics Of Foreign Policymaking: The President, The Congress, And The Panama Canal Treaties

by William L Furlong

4.7 out of 5